Box corner reinforcing means



3;" NOV- 16, 1965 R. c. PHILLIPS 3,217,918

BOX CORNER REINFORGING MEANS R. C. PHILLIPS BOX CORNER REINFORCING MEANS Nov. 16, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OCC.` 18, 1965 9 SR Pm l IIN 6 2 LE 2 auf um W HI P www m. L@ C M T 5R OJ 3 E u w 5W R 2 mw F ATTORNEYS United States fr* The present application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending United States application Serial Number 7,45 `5, tiled February 8, 1,960,` and now abandoned.

The present invention relates generally to box construction and more specifically to a form of box constructionwherein the various members are securely interconnected by means of tensioned straps of metal, plastic or the like, which provide for economy of manufacture, greater stability, and enable the box to 'be readily assembled and disassembled.

In the prior art, much diiculty has been experienced with boxes and pallet bins of the type under consideration which are secured together by the use of nails and bolts alone or various wire arrangements. Such known fastening arrangements tend to pullout, cut the wood members, and loosen or break relatively easy. In addition, prior art constructions have been costly and time consuming to repair thus taking the boxes out of service for extended periods.

The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a box construction of the type referred to which overcomes the diiculties in known box fastening methods, while maintaining low cost construction as well as enabling easy and low cost repairsand replacements. f, Another object of the present invention is to provide a box construction of the type referred to which is demountable so as to be shipped to a user as a bundle of I, lumber and capable of being returned, if necessary, in the same condition, while exhibiting minimum weight characteristics with a maximum of strength, considering the relative ratiobetween weight and strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box construction that resists wracking duringuse and in packing houses.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide a box structure wherein plywood panels may be utilized for certain structural parts and wherein the box may be so constructed to form a leak-proof container for smallparticle materials such as grains and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box construction of the type described which may be assembled and held together entirely by the use of ten# sinned straps `with the straps and strap seals so located as not to interfere with handling and storage `of the box. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a box construction so arranged as to be especially adapted to automated methods of handling and storage with provisions to assure air circulation about the boxes while in storage. v

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification and claims, taken in `connection with the accompanying drawings dealing with y 3,217,918n Patented Nev. ,1.6, 1965 ICC a preferred embodiment and alternate forms thereof. Reference is now` made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. l; p

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a corner of `a box illustrating an alternate embodimentof fillet construction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken alonglines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detailed fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1;

` FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7'-7 ofFIG.6; l

FIG. 8 is a view similarto FIG. 4, showing an alternative fillet construction; l

FIG. 9 is a partial elevational view showing an `alternate form of attaching the runners beneath the box; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate identical parts in the various views, thepreferred embodiment of the present invention comprises sides 1 and ends 2 which may be identical if the box is square in plan. Preferably, the sides and ends 1 and 2 are formed from a desired `thickness `of plywood, as illustrated, so as to be unitary in construction for low cost and to facilitate quick assembly and disassembly along with providing maximum strength. While plywood has been specifically mentioned,.the present invention is not limited to plywood construction and such materials as wood slats, lumber, plastics, metal slats and metal panels may also be `adapted for use in the sides and,` ends 1 and Zwithout departure fromthe concepts of the invention.

The bottom of the box in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed of wood slats 3 for the purpose of providing ventilation, but may be formed of plywood or the like for certain properties as will be discussed in connection with FIG. 3 of the drawings.

As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 1, each side 1 is secured to an end 2 by the combined action of fillets 4 and a pluralityof straps 5 vertically spaced at the corners of the box. Although three such straps are illustrated for each corner of the box in FIG. l, it will be understood that the number of straps may be increased depending upon the amount of load to be carried by the box. The straps 5 are commercially available items readily obtained on themarket. Examples of suitable metal straps are those sold as Signode or Acme straps. Although metal straps are most commonly used, the present invention is not limited to the use of metal straps and other types of straps will also function equally well orbetter in some cases, such as high strength plastic straps commercially available; By conventional tensioning means the straps may be `tensioned the desired amount and the end portions secured together by seals 6, In view of the fact that the straps are generally made of sheet steel or other high strength material they have great tensile strength and are loaned` under ten# sion. One of the advantages of employing such straps 5 to secure the sides 1 and ends 2 together is that the straps can be readily cut to disassemble `the box or replace dammaged parts quickly andcheaply. With the straps removed, the entire box construction may be dealth with as a bundle of lumber of compact size rather than dealing with a` bulky box, for shipment to the user. y i

The fillets 4 are in the form `of triangular pieces of wood in cross-section as shown clearly in FIGS. l, 2 and4, il-

lustrating the preferred embodiment. An alternative form of fillets is shown in FIG. 8 and will be fully explained later in connection with the modified form.

In assembling the sides and ends of the box with the fillets 4 located at the junctures therebetween, a plurality of holes 7 are formed adjacent each vertical edge of the sides 1 and acorresponding number of similarly located holes 8 are formed adjacent the vertical edges of the ends 2 to permit passage of the straps 5 therethrough. As illustrated clearly in FIG. 4, the holes 7 and 8 in the sides and ends 1 and 2 respectively, at each corner of the box, are so located that the aligned centers of the Iholes are in approximate alignment with the vertical edges of the fillets 4 thus leaving a slight portion of the edges of the fillets to overlap each hole. With the fillets in position in the corners of the box, the straps 5 are passed through the holes 7 and 8 and about the fillets 4 and the outside corner of the box. In this manner, the straps, when tensioned, bear on the fillets 4 urging them outwardly in the direction of the sides 1 and the ends 2 and, at the same time, restrain the sides and ends. After the straps 5 have been passed through the openings 7 and 8, and properly tensioned, the seals 6 are squeezed and caused to seal and tie the ends of the straps together by conventional means. In practice, the seals 6 should be placed in a location so that the box may travel in the direction parallel to appropriate skid members, later to be described, in such a manner that the seals will not be exposed to contact objects passing by the box as it is moved from place to place by the tines of a lift truck or the like. It will also be noted that, when the bands or straps 5 are tensioned, the relatively thin portions of the edges of the fillets overlying the holes 7 and 8 are crushed and compressed by the straps to provide a counter-pressure which maintains the straps under the proper tension. Under ideal conditions, the fillets should be relatively dry as compared to subsequent expected moisture conditions of the air such that later expansion of the fillets under higher moisture conditions will tend to relatively tighten the straps. If the fillets are not dry during the application of the straps later drying of the wood material would tend to loosen the straps and thus the box would lose its structural integrity.

As aforementioned, the bottom of the box in the preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of wood slats 3 which may be spaced to allow ventilation within the box, with the exposed edges of the slats being flush with the sides and ends of the box as illustrated in FIG. 1. Beneath the bottom slats a plurality of runners 9 are located in such a manner that the bottom of the box is a pallet arrangement so that the box may be handled by a normal lift truck having tines to go between the runners and lift and transport the box and later deposit the same without manual handling. A runner 9 is located beneath each end 2 in alignment therewith and, if weight problems dictate, a central runner 10 may be employed and will be parallel with the end runners 9. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the runners 9 and 10 are positioned directly against the bottom side of the slats 3 and will be securely pressured thereagainst by means to be described.

In securing the bottom slats 3 to the side and end members, fillets 11 are located at the juncture of the bottom edges of the sides 1 and the slats and corresponding fillets 12 are located along the bottom edges of the ends 2 at the juncture of the ends and the slats. As shown in the drawings, the fillets 11 and 12 are elongated wood members triangular in cross-section and extend between the upright fillets 4 and abut thereagainst. As aforementioned, the runners 9 extend beyond the length of both of the end members 2 to insure spacing between piles of boxes and are located directly beneath the bottom slats 3. According to the present invention, the sides 2, bottom slats 3 and the runners 9- are tied or tensioned together.

The bottom slats 3 are thus clamped between the runners 9 and the bottom edges of the ends 2 by the use of the fillets 12 and a plurality of spaced tensioned straps 13.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the manner in w-hich the eiid runners 2, the bottom slats 3 and the runners 9 are tensioned together will be described in detail. The runners 9 are positioned beneath the bottom slats 3 in suchpa manner as to leave a portion of the outside edge of the runners extending a slight distance beyond the outer surface of the ends 2 and a correspond-ing portion of the ends of the runners extend a slight distance beyond the outside surface of the sides 1. In this manner, the projecting portions of the runners serve to maintain the boxes in slightly `spaced relationship during storage to assure an air space for ventilation between the boxes. Along the length of the runners, a plurality of Vertical cut-outs 14 are formed with the inside surface of the cut-outs being flush with the surface of the ends 2. Holes 15 are then formed in the runners at the bottom of the' cut-outs 14. The holes 15 allow for passage of ten sioning straps 13 through the body of the runners with the cut-outs 14 providing a space for location of suitable seals 16 on the strap members. The cut-outs allow the seals 16 to be recessed within the outside surface of the runners free from obstructions during handling of the boxes. The fillets 12 are secured by the strap members 13 in the same manner as described for the fillets 4 with holes 17 being formed along the bottom edge of the ends 2 and holes 18being formed between the bottom slats 3 to permit placing of the strap 13 about the fillets. In locating the holes 17 and 18, the same procedure will be followed as that described in locating the holes 7 and 8, so as to leave both longitudinal edge portions of the fillets 12 extending to approximately the center line of the respective holes. The strap members 13 may then be placed about the fillets 12 and the runners and properly tensioned and sealed by the individual seals 16. The edges of the fillets 12 overlapping the holes 17 and 18 will thus be crushed to provide the necessary counter pressure to maintain the tension of the straps 13 as pres4A` viously described.

With relation to the fillets 11, suitable holes 19 are formed in the bottom edges of the sides 1 and holes 20 are located in the two end slats 3 to permit the application of the tensioning straps 21 about the fillets 11, sides 1 and bottom slats 3. The straps 21 will be tensioned in the manner described and sealed by suitable seals 22 and it will be understood that the placement of the holes 19 and 20 allow for crushing of the edge portions of the fillets 11 to maintain the members in constant tension as described. In the event that a center runner 10 is utilized as shown in the preferred embodiment, such may be secured to the bottom slat 3 by means of suitably placed nails 23 in the bottom slats as illustrated in FIG. 2. It may also be desirable in some cases to utilize additional nails (not shown) to further secure the bottom slats to the end runners 9.

A plurality of fiat bottom boards 24 extend between the runner members 9 with a bottom board being located at each end of the runners 9 as well as midway therebetween. It will be understood that the boards 24 are not necessary in all instances but may be utilized as required. The bottom boards 24 are secured to the runners 9 by means of straps 25 connected by seals 26 in the manner illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. The straps 25 extend about the bottom of the bottom boards 24 and are located within vertical slots 27, horizontal slots 28 formed -in the top surface of the inside edge of the runners 9 and a groove 28a across the bottom of the boards 24, in such a manner that the straps 25 are completely recessed within the inside surface of the runners and the bottom boards. In locating the seal member 26, it will be important to note that the seal is placed on the inside edge of the bottom board 24 so as to be out of the way to facilitate sliding of the box along the bottom board.

With the slots 27 and 28 being located as described, the straps 25 are maintained away from sliding surfaces of the runners 9 and do not interfere with the contacting surfaces of the bottom slats 3 and the runners 9. It will be understood that the means for attaching the bottom board 24 to the runners 9, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, applies to all of the bottom boards including the bottom board 24 located midway of the runners. It will also be noted that the straps 25 extend in the normal direction of sliding movement of the box .during stacking.

Turning now to `the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a solid panel of plywood or the like 28 will `form the bottom of a box in place of the plurality of spaced slats 3 as shown in the preferred embodiment. The solid panel bottom 28 will be utilized when it is desired to construct a box for use in handling grains or other small-particle commodities in bulk. When utilizing the solid panel bottom 28, identical fillets 29 will be located between the bottom panel and the bottom edges of the sides and ends 1 and 2 respectively, with the ends of the fillets 29 being located a substantial distance away from the vertical fillet 4 so as to prevent the formation of smalldimension cracks at the joints between the fillets 29 and the vertical fillets 4. In this manner grain or other particles is prevented from lodging in such cracks and joints to thereby` facilitate complete emptying of the box when desired. It will be understood that the remaining structure of t-he box will be identical to that described for the preferred embodiment when utilizing the solid panel bottom 28 and the shortened fillets 29.

In FIG. 8, an alternate form of mounting vertical fillets between respective side and end members 1 and 2 is illustrated. In this embodiment, a vertical fillet 30 is utilized which has the same triangular cross-section as described for the fillet 4 of the preferred embodiment and is located at the juncture between a side member 1 and an end member 2. The right triangular cross-section of the fillet 30 includes a plurality of bores 31 which extend completely through the body of the fillet and which are parallel to the hypotenuse of the right triangular cross-section.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, holes 32 and 33 are formed adjacent the vertical edges of the sides 1 and 2 with the centers of the holes being located approximately on the edge of the bores 31 remote from the outside surface of the fillets. Strap members 34 are then passed through the bores 31 and the holes 32 and 33 and extend about the corner formed by the sides 1 and ends 2. The straps 34 may be properly sealed by seal members 35 in the conventional manner. As the strap 34 is tensioned, the fillet 30 is crushed at the edge of the bore 31 to provide the necessary counter pressure to hold the strap 34 in tension as previously described. With this construction, the strap 34 is maintained entirely away from the inside surface of the fillets 30 to prevent interference with articles within the box. Further advantages are obtained from this construction during the handling of granular material as described in connection with FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 9 and l0 an alternate arrangement of runner construction is illustrated. In this form, the end walls 1 and end runners 9 are fastened together and to the bottom slats of the box in the manner aforedescribed in connection with the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. Instead of utilizing a middle runner such as the runner of FIG. 1 of equal dimensions with the end runners 9, a smaller dimension middle runner 35 is secured to the end walls and bottom slats. The runner 35 is preferably in the form of a 2 inch thick board or plank -of from 4-8 inches in width. The essential feature is that the runner 35 protrudes a shorter distance below the bottom of the box than the end runners 9 such that the runner 35 does not contact the contents of bins below when stacked. In the form shown in FIGS. 9 and l0 it will also be noted that bottom boards, such as the boards 24, are also eliminated to prevent damage during stacking. This arrangement is important when the boxes are stacked and used to store fruits or the like wherein the contents may be rounded on t-op and protrude a slight distance above the level of the top edge of the box.

As illustrated in detail in FIG. 10, the runner 35 is secured to the bottom slats 3 and the ends 1 by means of a strap member 36 and seals 37. The straps 36 pass through a bore 38 in the ends of the runner and bores 39 and 40 in the ends and slats 3 respectively, and about the llets 11. The manner in which the strap 36 is tightened about the fillets 11 is the same as that described for the strap 21 in the preferred embodiment.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides novel and useful improvements in box construction of the character described. The arrangement in types of structural components utilized within the invention may be subjected to numerous modifications well within the purview of this invention and applicant intends only to be limited to a liberal interpretation of the specication and appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a box construction having a bottom wall, spaced parallel end walls and spaced parallel side walls with first fillets located in the inside corners formed by the meeting of said end and side walls, and second fillets located at the meeting of said end and side walls with said bottom wall, said end and side Walls being secured together and to said fillets by a plurality of first tensioned strap members passing through holes in said end and side walls and about said fillets with the edges of said first fillets being slightly crushed by said strap members; runners parallel with each of said end walls and positioned beneath said bottom wall, said runners protruding a slight distance beyond the -outside surface of each end wall and beyond each end thereof, means for securing said runners to said end walls and said bottom wall including substantially horizontal bores through said runners, cut-out portions on the outside surface of said runners extending from said bores to the top surfaces of the runners with the bottom surface of each cut-out portion being substantially flush with the outside surface of the associated end wall, paired holes in said end walls and bottom wall covering portions of `the edges of said second fillets, a tensioned flat strap located in said cut-out portion and passing through the associated bore and paired holes and about said second fillets, and seal members securing said tensioned straps and located in said cut-out portions, whereby said runners are held tightly to said second fillets, end walls and bottom wall and said straps and seals are maintained away from the side and bottom surfaces of said runners.

2. In a box construction having a bottom wall, spaced parallel end walls and spaced parallel side walls, with fillets located in at least the inside corners formed by the meeting of said end walls and said bottom wall, a supporting base comprising; runners parallel with each of said end walls and positioned beneath said bottom wall, said runners protruding a slight distance beyond the outside surface of each end wall and beyond each end thereof, means for securing said runners to said end walls and said bottom wall including substantially horizontal bores through said runners, cut-out portions on the outside surface of said runners extending from said bores to the top surfaces of the runners, paired holes in said end walls and bottom wall in alignment with said bores and covering portions of the edges of said fillets, a tensioned fiat strap located in each cut-out portion and passing through the associated bore and paired holes and about said fillets, and seal members securing said tensioned straps and 1ocated in said cut-out portions, whereby said runners are held tightly to said fillets, end walls and bottom walls and said straps and seals are maintained away from the side and bottom surfaces of said runners. l

3. A supporting base for a box construction including parallel end walls `and a bottom Wall with fillets in the inside corners formed by the juncture of said end walls and said bottom wall comprising; a runner member parallel with each end wall and located beneath said bottom wall, each of said runners protruding beyond the outside surfaces of said end walls and beyond the end thereof, means associated with each of said runners for securing said runners to said end walls and bottom wall including, a substantially horizontal bore through the runner, a recess on the outside surface of the runner intersecting said bore and extending to the top surface of the runner, paired holes in the associated end wall and the bottom wall in alignment with said bore and covering portions of the edges of the associated fillet, a tensioned flat-strap located in said recess and passing through the bore and paired holes and about the associated fillet, and seal members securing said tensioned strap and located in said recess.

4. A fastening arrangement for securing a runner beneath thebottom corner of a box construction formed by the juncture of a vertical wall and a horizontal wall, with the runner protruding a distance in a horizontal direction beyond the outside surface of the vertical wall comprising; a fillet located in the inside corner formed by the juncture of said walls, a substantially horizontal bore through said runner, a recess in the outside surface of said runner intersecting said bore and the top surface of the runner, the bottom surface of the recess being substantially flush with the outside surface of the vertical wall, paired holes in said walls in alignment with said bore and covering portions of the edges of said fillet, and an endless flat tensioned strap located in said recess and passing through said bore and paired holes and about said fillet, and a seal member securing said strap and located in said recess, whereby said strap is maintained away from the bottom and outside surface of said runner and said fillet is slightly crushed along its edge portions to maintain said strap in tension.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first and second fillets are triangular in cross section and the holes in said end walls, side walls and bottom wall are centered on the edges of the associated fillet whereby said edges are indented by the pressure of said strap to hold the fillet in fixed position.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first and second fillets are triangular in crosssection and include bores passing through the body thereof and the holes in said end walls, side walls and bottom wall fare centered on the edges of the bores in said fillets remote from the inside portion of the box.

7. The combination according to claim 3 wherein bottom boards are provided beneath said runners and connect said runners at each end thereof, and means for connecting each end of each said board to the end of the associated runner comprising, a first recessl in the bottom surface lof the board, spaced vertical grooves inthe inside surface of the runner, a second recess in the inside edge of the top surface of the runner and an endless tensionedl at strap member located within said grooves and said first and second recesses.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,657,439 11/1953 Levine 20-92 2,675,936 4/1954 Ridge 206-60 2,854,165 9/1958 Foster et al 217-43 2,890,809 6/1959 Poley 217-43 FOREIGN PATENTS 959,582 10/1949 France.

301,649 12/1928 Great Britain.

536,108 11/1955 Italy.

150,455 6/1955 Sweden.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A BOX CONSTRUCTION HAVING A BOTTOM WALL, SPACED PARALLEL END WALLS AND SPACED PARALLEL SIDE WALLS WITH FIRST FILLETS LOCATED IN THE INSIDE CORNER FORMED BY THE MEETING OF SAID END AND SIDE WALLS, AND SECOND FILLETS LOCATED AT THE MEETING OF SAID END AND SIDE WALLS SAID BOTTOM WALLS, SAID END AND SIDE WALL BEING SECURED TOGETHER AND TO SAID FILLETS BY A PLURALITY OF FIRST TENSIONED STRAP MEMBERS PASSING THROUGH HOLES IN SAID END AND SIDE WALLS AND ABOUT SAID FILLETS WITH THE EDGES OSAID FIRST FILLETS BEING SLIGHTLY CRUSHED BY SAID STRAP MEMBERS; RUNNERS PARALLEL WITH EACH OF SAID END WALLS AND POSITIONED BENEATH SAID BOTTOM WALL, SAID RUNNERS PROTRUDING A SLIGHT DISTANCE BEYOND THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF EACH END WALL AND BEYOND EACH END THEREOF, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID RUNNERS TO SAID END WALLS AND SAID BOTTOM WALL INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL BORES THROUGH SAID RUNNERS, CUT-OUT PORTIONS ON THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF SAID RUNNERS EXTENDING FROM SAID BORES TO THE TOP SURFACES OF THE RUNNERS WITH THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF EACH CUT-OUT PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF THE ASSOCIATED END WALL, PAIRED HOLES IN SAID END WALLS AND BOTTOM WALL COVERING PORTIONS OF THE EDGES OF SAID SECOND FILLETS, AT ENSIONED FLAT STRAP LOCATED IN SAID CUT-OUT PORTION AND PASSING THROUGH THE ASSOCIATED BORE AND PAIRED HOLES AND ABOUT SAID SECOND FILLETS, AND SEAL MEMBERS SECURING SAID TENSIONED STRAPS AND LOCATED IN SAID CUT-OUT PORTIONS, WHEREBY SAID RUNNERS ARE HELD TIGHTLY TO SAID SECOND FILLETS, END WALLS AND BOTTOM WALL AND SAID STRAPS AND SEALS ARE MAINTAINED AWAY FROM THE SIDE AND BOTTOM SURFACES OF SAID RUNNERS. 